Hitachi Rail to Equip Thai Rail Lines With ETCS Level 1 Signalling

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 25, Hitachi Rail has secured contracts to install European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 digital signalling on two railway lines in Thailand, covering a total of 780.7 km.

The projects involve upgrading the Northeast Line from Nong Waeng Rai to Nong Phok and the North Line from Den Chai to Ngao, as well as equipping three vehicles with onboard ETCS systems.

These upgrades are part of Thailand's double-track development programme, which aims to improve intercity rail connections by increasing line speeds and capacity. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is adding a second track, modernising stations, and renewing signalling and telecommunication systems across the network.

ETCS is a digital signalling system that uses trackside equipment to communicate with trains, monitoring their movement and speed. By enabling trains to operate at higher speeds with improved safety and reliability, ETCS increases the capacity of the rail network.

In the first phase of Thailand's nationwide expansion project, Hitachi Rail served as the main supplier for ETCS across seven routes. The new contracts in the second phase reinforce the company's involvement in the country's rail modernisation efforts.

The contracts have been signed with LS Electric Co. Ltd., a South Korean company responsible for the complete signalling and telecommunications scope on these lines. Hitachi Rail is a global supplier of railway systems, including digital signalling technology, and has introduced ETCS technology in various Asian markets.